Find Out Metadata Meaning, Types, Used & How to View & Edit One

Metadata is simply data about data. It gives extra details about a file, like who made it, when it was made, and what it is about. It helps people and programs understand what a file holds without opening it.

If you want to learn more about metadata, keep reading this post. We will go over the basics, like what metadata means and its key traits. You will also learn the different types of metadata with real examples. We will also talk about how metadata works in many file types and how it is used. Not just that, we will also show you how to view and manage metadata on both Windows and Mac.

This article is packed with helpful information, so by the end, you will really get what is metadata and how to work with it.

Part 1. Understanding Metadata Basics

1. Metadata Meaning & Definition

Let us learn what metadata is.

Metadata means "data about data." It gives details about a file or piece of information. Think of it as a label or tag that tells what the data is, who made it, when it was made, and more. It helps computers and people understand, organize, and find information easily.

2. Key Characteristics

Metadata is structured, searchable, and useful. It does not change the main data but gives extra facts about it. Good metadata should be clear, correct, and consistent. It also needs to be updated when the data changes. Without metadata, data can be hard to manage or find.

Part 2. Common Types of Metadata (with Examples)

Metadata comes in many types. Each type helps in a different way. Below are the common types of metadata with simple examples:

1. Administrative Metadata

This type helps control access and manage files. It includes rules about who can open the file, when it was made, how big it is, and what format it is in. For example, a PDF file may show when it was created and who last opened it.

2. Descriptive Metadata

This type tells what the data is about. It includes things like a book's title, author, or subject. In a music file, it might list the song name, artist, and album.

3. Legal Metadata

This metadata shares details about rights and ownership. It includes licenses, copyrights, and royalties. For example, a photo may say it is copyrighted and who owns it.

4. Preservation Metadata

This helps organize data in a sequence or structure. It keeps data in order over time. It may include details about storage or how to preserve old files.

5. Process Metadata

Also called statistical metadata, this shows how data was collected or edited. For example, a survey report might include how responses were filtered or sorted.

6. Provenance Metadata

This type tracks the history of the data. It tells where the data came from and who changed it. This helps to check if the data is real and correct. It is often used in research or reports.

7. Reference Metadata

This explains the quality of the data. It may include notes about how trustworthy the data is or how up-to-date it is.

8. Statistical Metadata

This helps people understand statistics. It explains how numbers in a report were measured or counted.

9. Structural Metadata

This shows how pieces of data fit together. For example, it tells how audio tracks are ordered in a podcast. It is often used in digital books or videos. It is also called technical metadata.

10. Use Metadata

This metadata tracks how often and in what way data is used. It helps businesses see what people like and how they use the content. For example, a website may track how many times a page is clicked.

Part 3. Metadata in Different File Types

Metadata is not the same in every file. Each file type holds its own kind of data. Some store simple information, while others store more details. Here is how it works:

1. Image Metadata

Image metadata carry details like the date it was taken, camera settings, location, and even device information. This helps organize photos by date, place, or event.

2. Video Metadata

Video metadata have information like title, director, duration, file size, resolution, and codecs used. Some also include subtitles, chapters, or even tags for search.

3. Audio Metadata

This includes song name, artist, album, genre, track number, and file format. It helps music players sort and show songs the right way.

4. Document Metadata

Text files, Word docs, and PDFs hold metadata like author name, date created, number of pages, word count, and last modified time.

5. Web Page Metadata

Websites use metadata in the background. It includes meta tags, descriptions, and keywords. Search engines use this to understand what the page is about.

6. Spreadsheet Metadata

Excel or other spreadsheet files include cell data history, formulas used, sheet names, and authors.

Each file type uses metadata to tell a small story about the file. It shows how the file was made, who made it, and what it is for. This is why metadata is helpful in sorting, searching, and organizing your files with ease.

Part 4. How Metadata Is Used

So, what is metadata used for? Metadata is not just extra information. It is what makes data smarter. It helps people and systems find, protect, use, and understand content better. Here is how it helps in real life:

1. In Search: Metadata lets you search files fast. If you look for "vacation photos," the system can find images taken at the beach in July by checking metadata.

2. In Media Files: Video players read metadata to show album art, track lists, and subtitles. It also helps arrange media by artist or genre.

3. In Saving Old Files: Metadata helps keep track of old or rare files. It tells how they should be stored and used in the future.

4. In Data Management: It helps keep things in order. You can group files by author, date, or type. This metadata management is useful in big companies or digital libraries.

5. In Legal Use: Metadata shows who owns a file and what rights are allowed. This protects the maker and stops illegal use.

6. In Business: Companies study use metadata to learn what users like. This helps them improve apps, websites, and services.

7. In Security: Admins use metadata to limit access. Only allowed users can see or edit files. This keeps data safe.

No matter what kind of file you use, metadata plays a big role. It helps you get the most out of your data, and keeps everything easy to find, sort, and protect.

Part 5. How to View & Manage Metadata

Not everyone knows this, but your computer already has a way to check file information. Windows and Mac both come with built-in viewers that let you peek into file details. Below, we will show you how to use them step by step.

1. Default Way to View the Metadata on Windows

Windows File Explorer is more than just a file opener. It is also a file metadata opener that can show you basic information about your files. You may have used it before but did not know it shows metadata. Here is how to do it:

Step 1 Find the folder with your file. Right-click the file, then hit Properties.

Step 2 In the pop-up window, click the Details tab; this shows all the file information.

Step 3 Scroll through the list to see what you need and click OK when you are done.

2. Default Way to View Metadata on Mac

Mac has a similar feature called Finder. It lets you see metadata information like size, type, and more. Though you cannot edit anything here, it is still helpful.

Step 1 Open Finder from your dock and look for the file you want.

Step 2 Right-click the file, then choose Get Info from the menu.

Step 3 A window will appear showing the file's metadata, you can scroll to see more.

Bonus: Best Metadata Editor For Ever

Tipard Video Converter Ultimate is the best pick when it comes to fixing or editing your video and audio information. It lets you view and edit metadata tags without hassle. You can edit things like file name, title, artist, album, composer, genre, year, track, and even comments with ease.

Everything is laid out simple. You just add your file, and in a few clicks, you can make it look clean and organized. No more missing names or wrong data. Additionally, Tipard Video Converter Ultimate works on both Windows and Mac. So, no matter what computer you use, this metadata editor has you covered.

Tipard Video Converter Ultimate

• Add cover art for better file looks.
• Edit metadata on both video and audio files.
• Lets you convert and edit audio and video with ease.
• Support MP4, M4A, M4V, MOV, MP3, WMA, WAV, FLAC, etc.

Free Download Free Download

Step 1 First, go to the Tipard Video Converter Ultimate's official website. Download the program to your computer. After downloading, follow the setup to install it. Then, open the program once it is ready.

Step 2 When the program opens, click the More Tools tab at the top, go to Picture/Data/Others and select for the Media Metadata Editor.

Step 3 In the new window, click the Plus button and choose the video file you want to edit the metadata. Once added, you will see fields like Title, Artist, Album, and Genre.

Step 4 Now, it is time to edit the information. Click on each box to edit things like the Title or Artist name. To rename the file, just click the Pencil button on top. For Genre, click the drop-down and pick the one that fits best. You can also upload a custom cover photo if you want.

Step 5 When you are finished, click the Save button, then press OK to close. Now, check it to your folder and see the changes.

There you go! You have now edited your video's metadata with Tipard Video Converter Ultimate. Besides video, you can also use Tipard Video Converter Ultimate to edit MP3 metadata, and other supported audio formats. It is quick, simple, and helpful, especially if you like keeping your video files neat and organized.